Cassette Grader Cup Assembly for Accurate Batch Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems struggle to accurately determine the weight of food parts and combine them to achieve a desired batch weight, leading to inefficiencies and waste.
Innovation Solution
A grader system with a conveyor system and cups that move along a pathway, featuring a support frame assembly, parallel arm assembly, and tilt frame, allowing cups to tilt outward at dump stations for precise weight determination and batch creation, with cup designs that minimize adhesion for sticky food parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If food parts are processed in bulk without individual weight determination, then processing speed is maintained, but weight accuracy and batch weight control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bulk food processing into individual portion measurements using separate cups for each food part. Each cup allows individual weight determination while maintaining overall processing efficiency through automated handling and conveyor systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cups have smooth surfaces for easy cleaning, then sanitation is improved, but sticky food parts adhere more strongly to the cup surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cup bottom features a non-stick textured surface with protrusions and recesses specifically in the food contact area, while other portions of the cup maintain smooth surfaces for easy cleaning. This localized texture reduction allows sticky food parts to release more easily without compromising overall sanitation.
3Productivity
If cups are designed with steep slopes for quick dumping, then dumping speed is improved, but control over food part placement and batch weight accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup bottom features variable slopes that are dynamically optimized for different dumping stages. The transition from controlled positioning to rapid dumping is managed through the specific slope geometry, allowing both precision and speed in the dumping process.
Data Source
AI summary
A grader system for weighing and distributing food parts to achieve a desired batch weigh includes a conveyor system with a plurality of cups moving along a pathway that encounter a weigh station. The cups are mounted on a tilt frame that is connected to the conveyor system by a support frame assembly and an arm assembly. The support frame assembly is constructed with an open design forming cavities that can be cleaned when the grader system is in use. The arm assembly is at the exterior of the frame assembly and is constructed having a T-shaped cross section permitting cleaning. The tilt frame assembly includes feet that move along rails connected to a load cell at the weighing station.